Pulmonary function

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a group of tests that measure how well your lungs work. This includes how well you're able to breathe and how effective your lungs are able to bring oxygen to the rest of your body.

Overview

Your doctor may order these tests:

• If you're having symptoms of lung problems.
• If you're regularly exposed to certain substances in the environment or workplace.
• To monitor the course of chronic lung disease, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• To assess how well your lungs are working before you have surgery.

Types of Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary function tests are done to diagnose certain types of lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, find the cause of shortness of breath, measure whether exposure to chemicals at work affects lung function, and measure progress in disease treatment.

Spirometry

Spirometry is the first and most commonly done lung function test. It measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs. You breathe into a mouthpiece attached to a machine called a spirometer. The machine records your results.

Lung volume test

Also known as body plethysmography, this test measures the amount of gas in your lungs, including the volume of air you can inhale and exhale, how much air remains in your lungs after a normal exhale (residual volume) and how much air can be inhaled from the point of maximum exhalation (inspiratory capacity).

Gas diffusion test

This test measures how well oxygen passes from your lungs to your bloodstream. You breathe in a gas, and the doctor measures how much of it has moved into your blood.

Risks

Pulmonary function tests are generally safe. They cause no side effects and are not painful. However, because some of the tests require you to breathe in and out quickly, you might feel dizzy and there's a small risk of collapsing a lung in people with certain lung diseases.

Results

Your doctor will look at the results from each test. He or she can consider these results along with your medical history, signs and symptoms, physical exam, and other test results to make a diagnosis.

Pulmonary function Resources
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